August 11, 2014
Recently, I spent time appreciating the beauty of an Osprey as it flew above the river inlet where I was paddling. On other kayak trips, I experienced similar moments of marvel while afloat below Osprey nests to watch the parents fly in and out with food for their young.
Never had the problem described in this article crossed my mind. From water level, Osprey nests look like safe, sturdy, and comfortable places for raising an Osprey family. But what might be used for lining nests could prove quite harmful. I am encouraged that recycling and collection bins are available in some of the known Osprey nesting habitat areas. It appears that much more needs to be done.
Click on the link below to access the article cut from OPB Blogsite, Earthfix.
Fatal Attraction_Ospreys in a Bind with Bailing Twine
August 13, 2014
This story, from nearby Corvallis, Oregon, caught my attention during the evening news. A baby osprey is tethered to its nest by twine. Attempts are being made to bring in a ladder truck with a basket that is tall enough to make a rescue.
Crews try to free osprey tangled in twine in its own nest
August 14, 2014
Follow-up:
A taller ladder truck was successfully brought to the site. However, when the rescuer reached the nest… it was empty. Apparently, the young bird freed itself. Hopes were that the twine was worked loose. I fear that it is still entangled on the birds leg and that it will eventually cause the lose of the osprey’s foot or leg.
I suspect this Great Blue Heron had a similar fate that caused the limb loss due to entanglement with fishing line. I photographed this bird on a recent kayak paddle in a small lake near the Oregon Coast.
August 15, 2014
Some entanglements have happy endings-
Triple Rescue And Rehab Ends Well For Lucky Ospreys
we have gone from trapping and killing animals on purpose in the 1700’s to trapping and killing them because we stopped caring in the late 1900’s to now. Hopefully in this century we will see the errors of our lazy and wasteful ways.
Sometimes it feels like we will…
sometimes I wonder.
Humanity’s attitude towards wildlife is equally encouraging and discouraging.
And with more and more important environmental decisions driven by dollars instead of sense… I want to remain optimistic, even though it’s the more difficult path to follow…
-Jane